Big Foot interview

[Educr1]

By Eduardo Cruz and Melvin Laurindo – Brasil Combate staff


Brasil Combate: Tell us about your situation with the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC). Has your license been renewed?


Big Foot: The suspension ended up last July 26th. I haven’t been informed about any new penalties, neither about my license revocation. They should have done that until August 26th, so I’m supposedly free and already finishing a deal with an organization in the USA.


Brasil Combate: Is there any offer from the UFC to sign you?


Big Foot: Yes. My managers Alex Davis and Dan Lambert are already talking about that possibility.


Brasil Combate: Tell us about your weight. In which weight do you feel more comfortable to fight? How much do you weigh out of a training camp?


Big Foot: I weigh around 276lbs before a fight, which is something like 126kg. I feel very comfortable at this weight. Two years ago, when I arrived at the American Top Team, I was weighing 136kg (299.8 lbs). Today, with Benkei beside me, I’ve reduced my weight and increased my physical explosion and my cardio.


BC: What do you think about Brock Lesnar as the heavyweight champion?


Big Foot: I don’t like to talk trash at any fighter but I actually don’t like him (as a champion). In my mind, he is a clown. As soon as my ‘godfather’ Big Nog faces off him, he’ll get quiet and will shut his mouth up, being unable to talk shit.


Brasil Combate: Brock Lesnar vs. Fedor Emelianenko, who wins this fight?


Big Foot: (laughing out lot) Fedor, no doubts! Fedor is a true fighter, a complete athlete, while all Brock knows is take his opponents down with his superb strength. If he uses that with Fedor, he’ll get his arm pulled out.


Brasil Combate: Which strategy would you use to get the win versus Brock Lesnar?


Big Foot: My strategy would be coming into the fight very well physically, because I don’t mind fighting him neither standing nor on the ground.


Brasil Combate: Apart from the UFC heavyweight division, which opponents would you like to face?


Big Foot: I would love to face the best. We currently have Josh Barnett in Sengoku. That would be an awesome fight.


Brasil Combate: How do you see Strikeforce’s growth? What do you keep from the time you fought in EliteXC?


Big Foot: That’s wonderful! It’s awesome for the fighters. The competition within organizations is wonderful and evaluate the fighters. Well, about the EliteXC I have very good memories from them. I was very well treated and respected over there and also by the Showtime network. I also keep the memory of finishing there as the champion, without losing any fight.


Brasil Combate: Gives us your thoughts about Nogueira’s performance against Randy Couture. Do you still believe he can become the heavyweight champ?


Big Foot: Regardless the result, Nogueira is always a source of inspiration for me. He fought very well and showed the fighter he truly is, a warrior, very technical with a huge heart. Of course he has a chance and in the future he’ll be champion again.


Brasil Combate: Have you been training with King Mo and Bobby Lashley? What are your thoughts about them as MMA athletes?


Big Foot: King Mo has come to spend a couple of days at the ATT, but unfortunately I was injured, so we couldn’t train together. Bobby comes to the ATT only weeks before the fight. He is dedicated and only needs to get some more ring experience and in the future he’ll be a top fighter.


Brasil Combate: How was your contact with Chuck Liddell and his team when he was training at the ATT?


Big Foot: Chuck and his coach are awesome and very humble people. He came out here to spend some days at ATT and sparred with everyone like a 20-year- old boy. On that moment he showed that age is not a factor to be a top fighter.


Brasil Combate: Great names from MMA will be competing at ADCC this year. Would you like to have the opportunity to participate if you were invited?


Big Foot: Yes. Besides facing good athletes, It’s useful to the experience as a MMA athlete. I myself would love to fight Boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and submission wrestling competitions. It’s awesome and I’d have a lot to gain with that, but I do MMA for living and I can’t expose myself to the risk of getting injured in other competitions.


Brasil Combate: Bitetti Combat was successful in both criticism and public. Would you like to fight for a Brazilian organization?


Big Foot: Brazil does need big MMA organizations, so the Brazilian people who just watch through the TV and internet could see his best fighters alive. That happens in all sports. When an athlete gets distinguished, he needs to go out of the country because the financial support is yet very weak in Brazil. I do have a lot of desire to fight in Brazil. Who knows? Maybe in the future I’ll be fighting there.


Brasil Combate: Thanks a lot, Big Foot. Tell us your last words.

BigFoot: Thanks a lot to Brasil Combate for the opportunity. I’d like to thank my parents for their support. Without them I wouldn’t be here. I also want to thank ATT, my wife and kids and all the fans for helping the MMA growth.

http://www.brasilcombate.com.br/big-foo ... il-combate